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2021 New York City Council election

The 2021 New York City Council elections were held on November 2, 2021. The primary elections were held on June 22, 2021. There were several special elections for seats vacated in 2020 and early 2021; these special elections were the first to use ranked-choice voting in city council elections after it was approved by a ballot question in 2019 and the second to use ranked-choice voting since New York City repealed PR-STV in 1945. Due to redistricting after the 2020 Census, candidates also ran for two-year terms instead of four-year terms for the first time, stemming from the New York City Charter overhaul in 1989. Four-year terms will resume in the 2025 election after another two-year election in 2023.

Incumbents not seeking re-election

Term-limited incumbents

28 council members (26 Democrats and 2 Republicans) are prevented from seeking a third (fourth for pre-2010 council members) consecutive term due to term limits that were renewed by voters in a ballot referendum in 2010.

Retiring incumbents

Incumbents defeated in primary

Resigned before election

During the 2017–2021 council session, 8 incumbents have resigned before the election for various reasons.

Manhattan

District 1

The 1st district covers the very bottom of Manhattan, including the Financial District, Tribeca, and Soho. Incumbent Democrat Margaret Chin was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. Christopher Marte was seen as the most progressive candidate in the race, while Jenny Low was noted for the major endorsements she had received and Gigi Li had outgoing councilwoman Chin's support. Marte's campaign was bolstered by anger within the district at Chin's ties to real-estate developers, as well as by name recognition Marte had gained while attempting to primary Chin in the previous council election.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Susan Damplo, attorney
  • Sean Hayes, attorney and law professor
  • Tiffany Johnson-Winbush, former member of Manhattan Community Board 1
  • Susan Lee, author and non-profit executive
  • Gigi Li, Chief of Staff to Margaret Chin
  • Jenny Low, political staffer
  • Maud Maron, attorney
  • Christopher Marte, activist
  • Denny Salas, activist
Withdrawn

Republican primary

  • Jacqueline Toboroff
Results

Endorsements

State legislators

Local officials

  • Diana Ayala, New York City Councilwoman from the 8th district
  • Margaret Chin, New York City Councilwoman from the 1st district
  • Debi Rose, New York City Councilwoman from the 49th district
  • Helen Rosenthal, New York City Councilwoman from the 6th district

Individuals

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Organizations

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Organizations

General election

District 2

The 2nd district covers parts of the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Carlina Rivera was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Juan Pagan
Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Democratic primary

General election

District 3

The 3rd district covers parts of the West Side of Manhattan, including Chelsea, West Midtown, and Greenwich Village. Incumbent Democrat and current Council Speaker Corey Johnson was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Endorsements

Organizations

Federal legislators

  • Ritchie Torres, House of Representatives Member from Bronx County (2021–present)

State legislators

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

General election

District 4

The 4th district covers parts of the Lower East Side, East Midtown, and parts of the Upper East Side in Manhattan. The incumbent was Democrat Keith Powers, who won re-election defeating Republican David Casavis.

Democratic primary

Incumbent Councilman Keith Powers won the Democratic nomination unopposed.

Withdrawn

  • Jordana Lusk

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

District 5

The 5th district covers parts of the Upper East Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Ben Kallos was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He ran for Manhattan Borough President.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Joshua Kravitz

Endorsements

Organizations

Organizations

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Individuals

State legislators

Organizations

Federal legislators

State legislators

Organizations

Organizations

General election

District 6

The 6th district covers most of the Upper West Side in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Helen Rosenthal was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. She filed to run for New York City Comptroller but dropped out of the race. Sara Lind and Jeffrey Omura had an alliance during the campaign, with Lind's campaign asking voters to rank Omura second and Omura's campaign asking voters to rank Lind second. Gale Brewer, who was the Manhattan Borough President at the time and held this seat from 2002 to 2013, won the Democratic nomination.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President
  • Maria Danzilo, attorney
  • David Gold, non-profit executive
  • Sara Lind, attorney
  • Jeffrey Omura, actor and labor unionist
  • Zack Weiner, screenwriter and film producer

Withdrawn

  • Seth Rosen (endorsed Sara Lind)
  • David Zelman
Endorsements

Federal officials

State officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Individuals

Organizations

Organizations

Results

General election

District 7

The 7th district covers West Harlem and Hamilton Heights in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Mark Levine was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. Levine was running for Manhattan Borough President. Shaun Abreu was considered the frontrunner in the race, while five of his opponents – Maria Ordoñez, Stacy Lynch, Marti Allen-Cummings, Dan Cohen, and Corey Ortega – formed a ranked-choice coalition to oppose him.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Alberto Aguilar III
  • Jeanette Toomer

Endorsements

Federal legislators

Local officials

  • Mark Levine, New York City Councilmember for the 7th district

Labor unions

Organizations

State legislators

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Newspapers and publications

Executive officials

Labor unions

Newspapers and publications

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

General election

District 9

The 9th district covers most of the central part of Harlem in Manhattan. Incumbent Democrat Bill Perkins ran for reelection. He is currently behind challenger Kristin Richardson Jordan, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, by 104 votes in the final RCV round. Due to the close margin, the race underwent a manual recount. On August 9, 2021, Perkins conceded the race to Jordan. The recount was completed on August 18, with Jordan winning by 114 votes.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • William Allen, professor and founder of the Uptown Democratic Club
  • Cordell Cleare, Democratic District Leader in the 70th State Assembly district
  • Joshua Clennon, treasurer of Manhattan Community Board 10
  • William Council, coach
  • Pierre Gooding, deacon and attorney
  • Kristin Richardson Jordan, poet and activist
  • Ruth McDaniels, former NYPD supervisor
  • Bernadette McNear, program director
  • Athena Moore, activist
  • Bill Perkins, incumbent Councillor
  • Mario Rosser, partnership manager
  • Sheba Simpson, educator
  • Keith Taylor, member of Manhattan Community Board 10

Withdrawn

  • Malik Wright, political operative
Endorsements

State officials

Individuals

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Individuals

Federal officials

Local officials

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Federal officials

Individuals

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

Labor unions

Results

General election

District 10

The 10th district covers the northernmost part of Manhattan, including Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill. Incumbent Democrat Ydanis Rodríguez was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • James Behr, attorney and author
  • Francesca Castellanos, activist
  • Carmen De La Rosa, State Assemblymember
  • Angela Fernandez, former director of the New York State Division of Human Rights
  • Johanna Garcia, Chief of Staff to Robert Jackson
  • Thomas Leon, candidate for New York State Senate in 2018
  • Josue Perez, educator
  • Tirso Pina, candidate for New York City Council in 2001

Withdrawn

Republican primary

Candidate

  • Edwin de la Cruz
Endorsements

Organizations

State legislators

Organizations

Individuals

Labor unions

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

General election

Manhattan/Bronx crossover

District 8

The 8th district covers East Harlem in Manhattan, Mott Haven and parts of High Bridge in The Bronx, and Randalls Island. Incumbent Democrat Diana Ayala was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Diana Ayala, incumbent Councillor
  • Antoinette Glover, pastor
  • Tamika Mapp, businesswoman and veteran
  • Manuel Onativia, consultant
Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

General election

Bronx

District 11

The 11th district covers the most northwestern part of the Bronx, including Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Devil, Kingsbridge, parts of Bedford Park, Norwood, Woodlawn, and parts of Wakefield. This seat is currently filled by Eric Dinowitz. The incumbent was Democrat Andrew Cohen, who was elected judge of the New York Supreme Court 12th Judicial District in 2020. A non-partisan special election was held on March 23, 2021, with the winner being eligible to run for a full term.

The election used ranked choice voting, with Eric Dinowitz remaining in the lead for all six rounds.

Special election

The special election was nonpartisan.

Withdrawn

  • Abigail Martin (withdrew from the special election but would be in the June primary)
  • Marcos Sierra (withdrew from the special election but would be in the June primary)

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Jessica Haller
  • Nayma Silver
  • Dionel Then

Endorsements

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

  • Daniel Dromm, New York City Councilmember from the 25th district
  • Mark Treyger, New York City Councilmember from the 47th district

Labor unions

Organizations

State legislators

Local officials

  • Brad Lander, New York City Councilmember for the 39th district—co-endorsement with Mino Lora

Organizations

State legislators

Local officials

  • Brad Lander, New York City Councilmember for the 39th district—co-endorsement with Jessica Haller
  • Jimmy Van Bramer, New York City Councilmember for the 26th district

Labor unions

Organizations

District 12

The 12th district covers the most northeastern part of the Bronx, including Williamsbridge, Co-Op City, parts of Allerton, Eastchester, and parts of Wakefield. Incumbent Democrat Andy King, who was already term-limited, was expelled on October 5, 2020. A special election to determine his replacement took place on December 22, 2020, with Kevin Riley elected the winner. He was running for a full term.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Pamela Hamilton-Johnson, non-profit executive
  • Shanequa Martin, social worker
  • Kevin Riley, incumbent Councillor
Endorsements

Labor unions

Results

District 13

The 13th district includes the most southeastern part of the Bronx, including Baychester, parts of Allerton, Pelham Parkway, Morris Park, Pelham Bay, Middletown, Country Club, Throggs Neck, and City Island. Incumbent Democrat Mark Gjonaj was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

Democratic primary

Candidates
Endorsements

Federal legislators

State officials

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Results

General election

District 14

The 14th district includes a section of the West Bronx, including Kingsbridge Heights, parts of Bedford Park, parts of Fordham, University Heights, parts of Tremont, and parts of Morris Heights. Incumbent Democrat Fernando Cabrera was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. He filed to run for Bronx Borough President.

Democratic primary

Endorsements

Federal legislators

State legislators

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Individuals

District 15

The 15th district covers parts of the North Central Bronx, including Belmont, West Farms, parts of Bedford Park, parts of Fordham, parts of Tremont, and Little Yemen. This seat is currently filled by Oswald Feliz. The incumbent was Democrat Ritchie Torres, was elected to New York's in 2020. A special election was held on March 23, 2021, with the winner being eligible to run for a full term.

The election used ranked choice voting, with Oswald Feliz remaining in the lead for all six rounds.

Special election

The special election was nonpartisan.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Withdrawn

  • Elisa Crespo
  • Julian Sepulveda (endorsed Elisa Crespo)

Endorsements

Organizations

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

State legislators

Local officials

  • Ben Kallos, New York City Councilmember for the 5th district
  • Antonio Reynoso, New York City Councilmember for the 34th district

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Local officials

Organizations

District 16

The 16th district includes parts of the South Bronx, including parts of Melrose, parts of High Bridge, parts of Morris Heights, and Morrisania. Incumbent Democrat Vanessa Gibson was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. She filed to run for Bronx Borough President.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Abdourahamane Diallo, businessman
  • Ahmadou Diallo, businessman
  • Yves Filius, Democratic District Leader in the 77th assembly district
  • Althea Stevens, activist

Withdrawn

  • Leonardo Coello
  • Uniqua Smith
Endorsements

Local officials

Newspapers and publications

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

District 17

The 17th district includes parts of the South Bronx, including Port Morris, parts of Melrose, Hunts Point, Longwood, and parts of Soundview. Incumbent Democrat Rafael Salamanca was running for reelection.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Rafael Acevedo
  • George Alvarez
  • Lattina Brown
  • Melody Jimenez
  • Glennis Sanchez Severino
Results
Endorsements

Organizations

Federal legislators

Labor unions

Organizations

District 18

The 18th district covers parts of the Southeast Bronx, including Parkchester, Unionport, Castle Hill, Clason Point, and parts of Soundview. Incumbent Democrat Rubén Díaz Sr. was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

Democratic primary

Green primary

Endorsements

Federal officials

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Local politicians

Bronx/Queens crossover

District 22

The 22nd district is currently vacant. The incumbent was Democrat Costa Constantinides, who was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He resigned to take a position as CEO of Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Leonardo Bullaro, program director
  • Tiffany Cabán, attorney and candidate for Queens District Attorney in 2019
  • John Ciafone, landlord
  • Catherine Gioino, journalist
  • Evie Hantzopoulos, non-profit executive
  • Nick Velkov, yoga instructor

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Results

Republican primary

  • Felicia Kalan

Organizations

Green primary

  • Edwin DeJesus

General election

Queens

District 19

In the 19th district, Democrat Paul Vallone was term-limited. Republican Vickie Paladino won a close race over Democrat Tony Avella.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Conservative primary<br />

Endorsements

Federal legislators

Local officials

  • Peter Koo, New York City Councilman for the 20th district

Organizations

Local officials

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

General election

District 20

In the 20th district, Democrat Peter Koo was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Isak Khaimov
  • Sam Wong

Endorsements

Local officials

Organizations

Labor unions

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

District 21

In the 21st district, incumbent Francisco Moya was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

District 23

In the 23rd district, incumbent Democrat Barry Grodenchik was eligible to run for a second term, but chose to retire instead.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Withdrawn

  • Seth Breland (endorsed Linda Lee)
  • Janet Dennis
  • Christopher Fuentes-Padilla
  • Mandeep Sahi

Endorsements

Local officials

Organizations

State legislators

Labor unions

Organizations

Federal legislators

State legislators

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

  • Robert Holden, New York City Councilmember for the 30th District
  • Josh Lafazan, Nassau County Legislator for the 18th District

District 24

In the 24th district. incumbent was Democrat Rory Lancman, who resigned his seat on November 2, 2020. A special election was held on February 2, 2021, with James F. Gennaro winning and being eligible to run for a full term.

Special election

Percentages may be slightly different from 100% due to rounding.

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Withdrawn

  • Stanley Arden
  • Joshua Maynard

Endorsements

Federal legislators

Individuals

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

State legislators

Labor unions

Individuals

Organizations

District 25

In the 25th district, incumbent Democrat Danny Dromm was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Fatima Baryab, non-profit executive
  • Yi Chen, activist and NYPD auxiliary
  • Shekar Krishnan, civil rights lawyer
  • Liliana Melo, District Leader for the 34th State Assembly district
  • Manuel Perez, interpreter and life coach
  • Alfonso Quiroz, vice-president of the JFK Democratic Club
  • William Salgado, attorney and District Leader for the 39th State Assembly district
  • Carolyn Tran, former chief of staff to Danny Dromm

Withdrawn

  • Lucy Cerezo Scully
Endorsements

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

State legislators

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

Libertarian primary

  • Suraj Jaswal, director of operations

General election

District 26

In the 26th district, incumbent Democrat Jimmy Van Bramer was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. He filed to run for Queens Borough President.

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Amit Bagga, former deputy director of the New York City Census
  • Jonathan Bailey, former chairman of the Queens Democratic Socialists of America
  • Lorenzo Brea, activist
  • Julia Forman, former prosecutor
  • Glennis Gomez, political staffer
  • Denise Keehan-Smith, former chairperson of Queens Community Board 2
  • Badrun Khan, financial manager; candidate for NY-14 in 2020
  • Hailie Kim, adjunct professor at Hunter College
  • Jesse Laymon, political strategist
  • Sultan al Maruf, IT director
  • Brent O'Leary, legal consultant
  • Steven Raga, former Chief of Staff to Brian Barnwell
  • Emily Sharpe, attorney
  • Julie Won, member of Queens Community Board 2
  • Ebony Young, non-profit executive

Withdrawn

  • Tavo Bortoli
  • Giselle Burgess
  • Benjamin Guttmann
  • Bianca Ozeri
  • Micah Peterson
  • Alexander Rias
Endorsements

State legislators

Local officials

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Labor unions

Organizations

State legislators

Local officials

Organizations

Organizations

State legislators

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

General election

Republican primary

  • Marvin Jeffcoat, veteran

District 27

In the 27th district, incumbent Democrat Daneek Miller was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Timothy Turane

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

District 28

In the 28th district, incumbent Democrat Adrienne Adams was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Martin Hightower

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

District 29

In the 29th district, incumbent Democrat Karen Koslowitz was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term. She had already served five terms on the NYC Council, but non-consecutively.

Democratic primary

Endorsements

Organizations

Labor unions

Newspapers and publications

State legislators

Organizations

Federal legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

District 30

In the 30th district, incumbent Democrat Robert Holden was running for re-election.

Democratic primary

Endorsements

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Labor unions

General election

District 31

The 31st district is currently filled by Selvena Brooks-Powers, who will hold it for the remainder of the current term. The previous incumbent was Democrat Donovan Richards and was term-limited, preventing him from seeking a third consecutive term. He was elected Queens Borough President in 2020 and resigned his seat to assume that office on December 2, 2020. A special election was held on February 23, 2021, with the winner serving out Richard's term, which runs until the end of 2021 and being eligible to run for a full term in 2021.

The election was New York City's first ranked choice voting election with multiple rounds, and Selvena N. Brooks-Powers remained in the lead throughout all nine rounds.

Special election

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Monique Charlton
  • Franck Joseph

Endorsements

Federal legislators

State legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

District 32

In the 32nd district, incumbent Republican Eric Ulrich was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Republican primary

Candidates
  • Joann Ariola, chair of the Queens Republican Party
  • Stephen Sirgiovanni, businessman
Results

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Kaled Alamarie, city planner
  • Bella Matias, non-profit executive
  • Michael Scala, attorney
  • Shaeleigh Severino, paralegal
  • Helal Sheikh, former educator
  • Felicia Singh, educator

Withdrawn

  • Joel Gokool, consultant
  • Raimondo Graziano, activist
Endorsements

State legislators

Individuals

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

State officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Results

General election

Candidates
Post-primary endorsements

U.S. Representatives

State legislators

  • Phil Goldfeder, former Member of the New York State Assembly from the 23rd district (Democratic)

Local officials

  • Augustus Agate, former New York Supreme Court 11th Judicial District (Democratic)
  • Joe Fox, former Chief of Transit for the NYPD
  • Romeo Hitlall, President of the Richmond Hill-South Ozone Park Lions Club (Democratic)
  • Robert Holden, Member of the New York City Council from the 30th district (Democratic)
  • Danny Ruscillo, NYPD Community Partner for the 100th Precinct
  • Eric Ulrich, Member of the New York City Council from the 32nd district

Labor unions

Individuals

Organizations

  • Sant Baba Prem Singh Sikh Cultural Society of New York

Newspapers

U.S. Senators

U.S. Representatives

State officials

State legislators

  • Khaleel Anderson, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 31st district
  • Catalina Cruz, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 39th district
  • Andrew Hevesi, Member of the New York State Assembly from the 28th district

Local officials

Organizations

Individuals

Newspapers

Results

Queens/Brooklyn crossover

District 34

In the 34th district, incumbent Democrat Antonio Reynoso was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He filed to run for Brooklyn Borough President.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Withdrawn

  • Terrell Finner
  • Danny Marin
Results

General election

Endorsements

Federal legislators

Local officials

Labor unions

Organizations

Brooklyn

Staten Island

District 49

In the 49th district, incumbent Democrat Debi Rose was term-limited and could not run for a fourth consecutive term.

Democratic primary

Withdrawn

  • Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius
  • Vincent Johnson
  • Aidan Rivera

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

Organizations

Newspapers and publications

Organizations

Republican primary

Withdrawn

  • Nicholas Robbins

District 50

In the 50th district, incumbent Republican Steven Matteo was term-limited and could not run for a third consecutive term. He filed to run for Staten Island Borough President, but lost the Republican primary to Vito Fossella. The district was won by David Carr, Matteo's chief of staff.

Republican primary

Candidates
Campaign

The two frontrunners for the open council seat were David Carr, chief of staff to outgoing councilman Matteo, and Marko Kepi, a Marine reservist who had previously lost in a campaign for the New York State Assembly. The race became contentious as results were tabulated, with Carr accusing Kepi of engaging in an illegal ballot harvesting operation and forging signatures on absentee ballots. In response, Kepi accused Carr of using his influence to get the New York City Board of Elections to systematically reject ballots cast by the Albanian-American community.

Endorsements

Federal officials

State officials

Newspapers and publications

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

General election

District 51

In the 51st district, incumbent Republican Joe Borelli ran for re-election and was re-elected over Olivia Drabczyk.

Republican primary

Candidates

Democratic primary

Candidates
  • Olivia Drabczyk, teacher

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

Organizations

2022 Speaker election

Corey Johnson could not run for re-election as Speaker because of term limits. The following individuals expressed their interest in running:

Joe Borelli (District 51, Staten Island) was expected to lead the Republican minority.

See also

Notes

References